Japan Society’s upcoming concert series: ‘John Cage’s Japan’

Japan Society’s John Cage’s Japan In 2012, the world celebrated John Cage’s hundredth birthday. ‘World’ is a vague term that risks meaning North America and Europe when used with bravado from a Western musical perspective. But it is no exaggeration to say that John Cage held worldwide notoriety far beyond the New York City of post-World … Read more

Gregor Tassie in conversation with soprano Iordanka Derilova

Gregor Tassie talks to Sofia Opera’s Iordanka Derilova about her career and her return to performing in Bulgaria

Iordanka Derilova

One of the highlights of the recent Sofia Ring cycle was the outstanding performance of the dramatic soprano Iordanka Derilova – both for her superb vocal talents and her complete characterisation as Brünnhilde. I had seen her Brünnhilde before in the Blu-ray recording of the first Sofia Ring in 2013of which I wrote, ‘Derilova as Brünnhilde displays extraordinary stamina and vocal strength, and acting make her the star of the show.’ I was surprised that I had not heard her before, yet the Kammersängerin – who is the leading soprano in Dessau, has been singing on some of Europe’s finest theatres since 1998.

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Barcelona Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Pablo Casals Memorial Concert on 5 October

PABLO CASALS MEMORIAL CONCERT: 5 OCTOBER 2023 7.30pm
(50th Anniversary of the passing of Pablo Casals)

BARCELONA YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA / LAURA PERIBAÑEZ ARTERO (cello) / CARLOS CHECA (conductor)   

Programme:
Casals – Sardana ‘Sant Martí del Canigó’
Granados – Goyescas – Intermezzo
Bruch – Kol Nidrei
Brahms – Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68

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Gregor Tassie in conversation with tenor Daniel Ostretsov

Gregor Tassie talks to Sofia Opera’s Daniel Ostretsov about his career and opera in Bulgaria

Daniel Ostretsov

My first acquaintance with the singers of the Sofia Opera was watching films of the first Ring cycle from 10 years ago, and apart from the innovative and often sensational staging by Plamen Kartaloff, one of the singers that I noticed was in Das Rheingold. ‘Daniel Ostretsov’s Loge is brilliant in voice and acting with a suitably apt costume.’  I was recently fortunate to meet up with Daniel between his Ring performances and The Flying Dutchman, the concluding opera of the 2023 Sofia Wagner Festival.

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Tippet Rise Art Center’s summer season 2023

Tippet Rise – where music, art and nature combine to nourish the soul There are no bounds to Lindsey Hinmon’s enthusiasm when describing what makes Tippet Rise Art Center such a magical place. She and her husband, Pete, are its co-directors, tasked with running an art center situated in a 12,500-acre working ranch – a … Read more

Updated: Oxford International Song Festival – 18 to 28 October 2023

Oxford International Song Festival (formerly Oxford Lieder Festival)

13 to 28 October 2023 Art:Song – Images, Words, Music

  • The UK’s largest festival of song celebrates its first festival under a new name with a fortnight featuring over 75 events.
  • World premieres include song cycles by FEDORA Opera Prize-winning British-Chinese composer Alex Ho (Oxford International Song Festival’s Associate Composer), Geoffrey Gordon, Mahdis Golzar Kashani, and Héloïse Werner, and a new work by Roxanna Panufnik co-commissioned with Presteigne Festival.
  • World-class singers and pianists, alongside emerging stars, take to the stage for evening song recitals, complemented by a wide-ranging series of events including lunchtime concerts, talks, tours, workshops, dance, masterclasses, and more.
  • With tickets starting at £5, several free events, £8 tickets for under-35s at every event, and a choice of discounts and concessionary rates, the Festival is accessible to all.

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